[Meniscectomy--total, partial, open or closed operation?].

The importance of the menisci for stability of the knee joint is pointed out. Because of its mechanical importance in the knee a more conservative behaviour for treatment is recommended. Even the degenerated meniscus can play his role sufficiently. For each type of lesion individual surgery is applied, especially if there is locking impingement linked with mechanically induced arthritis. Out of the clinical results follows that arthroscopic partial meniscectomy is superior to conventional open meniscectomy, especially in the early postoperative period.